United States, Germany Sign Joint Declaration of Intent on Labor Cooperation

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta and Hubertus Heil, the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, signed a Joint Declaration of Intent underlining the value of cooperation in various areas of international labor policy and practice between the two countries. 

The declaration will facilitate cooperation in supporting international initiatives and sharing of lessons related to apprenticeships, youth employment, and the future of work; relevant global initiatives; and furthering efforts to advance women's economic empowerment, in line with the United States' new Women's Global Development and Prosperity Initiative.

In addition to signing the letter, the Secretary and the Minister met for a useful and constructive exchange of views on workforce development and especially apprenticeship in their respective countries. They also discussed the upcoming G-20 Labor Ministerial. 

The mission of the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs is to promote a fair global playing field for workers in the U.S. and around the world by enforcing trade commitments, strengthening labor standards, and combating international child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking. For more information about the Department's work on these issues, visit http://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab.